World Heritage Identification Number: 227
World Heritage since: 1983
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Africa
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Comoé National Park: A West African Biodiversity Haven
The Comoé National Park, located in the Zanzan and Savanes districts of north-eastern Ivory Coast, stands as one of the most significant protected areas in West Africa. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this expansive reserve spans over 11,500 square kilometers (4,400 sq mi), making it the largest protected area within the region.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
One of the largest protected areas in West Africa, this park is characterized by its great plant diversity. Due to the presence of the Comoé river, it contains plants which are normally only found much farther south, such as shrub savannahs and patches of thick rainforest.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): The property, due to its geographical location and vast area dedicated to the conservation of natural resources, is an ecological unit of particular importance. Its geomorphology comprises wide plains with deep ridges carved by the Comoe River and its tributaries (Bavé, Iringou, Kongo), allowing humid plant growth towards the north and favouring the presence of wildlife in the forest zone. The property also contains green rocky inselbergs in a north-south line, surmounted by rocky ridges that form in the centre and the north, isolated massifs and small chains of 500m to 600m in altitude. Comoé National Park contains a remarkable variety of habitats, notably savannas, wooded savannas, gallery forests, fluvial forests and riparian grasslands providing an outstanding example of transitional habitats from forest to savanna. Currently, the property is one of the rare sanctuaries for a variety of West-African biological species.
Criterion (x): Due to the phytogeographical situation and the crossing of the River Comoé for over 230 kilometres, Comoé National Park teems with a vast variety of animal and plant species. This location in fact makes this property a zone where the areas of division of numerous west-African plant and animal species mingle. The property contains around 620 plant species, 135 species of mammals, (including 11 primates, 11 carnivores and 21 species of artiodactyla), 35 amphibian species and 500 bird species (a little less than 20% of which are inter-African migratory birds and roughly 5% palearctic migratory birds). Several of these bird species enjoy international protection, among which the Denham’s Bustard (Neotis denhami), the yellow casqued hornbill (Ceratogymna elata) and the brown-cheeked hornbill (Bycanistes cylindricus). The property also contains 36 of the 38 species of the biome of the Sudo-Guinean savanna inventoried in the country as well as resident populations of species that have become rare in West Africa, such as the Jabiru Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis. The different waters of the Comoé River and its tributaries are the habitat for 60 species of fish. As concerns reptiles, three species of crocodiles are found in the Park – including the dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) – which are on the IUCN Red List. The property also contains three other threatened species which are the Chimpanzee, the African wild dog Lycaon pictus and the Elephant Loxodonta africana africana.
Encyclopedia Record: Comoé National Park
The Comoé National Park is a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Zanzan and Savanes districts of north-eastern Ivory Coast. It is the largest protected area in West Africa, with an area of 11,500 square kilometers (4,400 sq mi), and ranges from the humid Guinea savanna to the dry Sudanian zone. This steep climatic north–south gradient allows the park to harbor a multitude of habitats with a remarkable diversity of life. Some animal and plant species even find their last sanctuary in some of the different savanna types, gallery forests, riparian grasslands, rock outcrops, or forest islands.Additional Site Details
Area: Not available
Number of Components: 1
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 9 , -4
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Comoé National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
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© Albert Backer, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Comoé National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Socio‐Ecological Significance and Anthropogenic Threats to Berlinia (Sol. ex Hook.f., 1849) and Isoberlinia (Stapf, 1911) Species in Côte d’Ivoire
Berlinia and Isoberlinia species, vital for timber, food, medicine, and cultural services in Côte d'Ivoire's Guineo-Sudanian zone, face severe threats from overexploitation, habitat loss, and climate stress. A study examining 72 plots across protected (Comoé National Park) and unprotected areas revealed significant declines in density, stem diameter, and basal area in unprotected stands, with Isoberlinia doka suffering from selective illegal logging and Berlinia grandiflora showing regressive population dynamics due to aging stands and low regeneration. Ethnobotanical surveys identified 23 medicinal, seven handicraft, two fuelwood, and one food uses, while highlighting eight key drivers of decline, including deforestation, agriculture, unsustainable logging, bushfires, cashew cultivation, and drought. The findings underscore the need for community-based conservation strategies integrating local ethnoecological knowledge to ensure the sustainability of these ecologically and socio-economically critical species.
Karim, S. G., Bakary, S., & Koné, N. G. A. (2026). Socio‐Ecological Significance and Anthropogenic Threats to Berlinia (Sol. ex Hook.f., 1849) and Isoberlinia (Stapf, 1911) Species in Côte d’Ivoire. Ecology and Evolution, 16(1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72984
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Analyse par Télédétection de la dynamique des formations végétales 2002-2022 dans le Sud du Parc national de la Comoé (Nord-Est de la Côte d’Ivoire)
A study analyzing vegetation dynamics in the southern part of Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, using LANDSAT satellite imagery from 2002 to 2022, reveals two contrasting phases: a period of decline (2002–2012) marked by a 51% reduction in dense forests and accelerated savannization, followed by notable recovery post-2012 with wooded savannas expanding by 29%. Despite resilience, habitat fragmentation and persistent anthropogenic pressures persist, necessitating integrated management strategies such as ecological corridor restoration to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation. The research validates these findings using a robust methodology (Kappa > 0.77) and highlights the interplay of natural and human factors in shaping the park's landscape.
Konate, A., Dibi, N. H., & Bongoua-Devisme, A. J. (2026). Analyse par Télédétection de la dynamique des formations végétales 2002-2022 dans le Sud du Parc national de la Comoé (Nord-Est de la Côte d’Ivoire). European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 22(3), 124. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2026.v22n3p124
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Shift of Nitrogen and Carbon Stable Isotopes in Temporary Pond Tadpoles Following the Decline of Large Mammalian Herbivores
Research in Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast, reveals that the decline of large mammalian herbivores due to civil conflicts has significantly altered nitrogen cycling in savanna ecosystems. Stable isotope analysis of tadpoles from temporary ponds showed a decrease in δ15N values post-decline, indicating a baseline shift in nutrient dynamics. No significant change in δ13C signals suggests minimal alteration in primary energy resources. Interannual and taxon-specific variations in isotope signals highlight the complex interplay between tadpole morphology, diet, and pond characteristics. These findings underscore the critical role of large herbivores in maintaining ecosystem stability.
Ewald, N., Demare, G., Glos, J., Struck, U., & Rödel, M.-O. (2026). Shift of Nitrogen and Carbon Stable Isotopes in Temporary Pond Tadpoles Following the Decline of Large Mammalian Herbivores. Ecology and Evolution, 16(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73508
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Local Knowledge and Drivers of Human-Primates Conflicts around Comoe National Park, Northeastern Cote d’Ivoire
A study around Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, reveals that human-primate conflicts are driven by primate foraging behavior and habitat loss. Primates like patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas), green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus), and olive baboons (Papio anubis) frequently raid crops such as yam, maize, and cassava near the park, exacerbating tensions with local communities. Local knowledge indicates that these conflicts stem from primates venturing outside the park due to reduced food availability within their natural habitats. The research, conducted through focus group discussions and questionnaires with 502 participants, highlights the cultural significance of primates among ethnic groups like Koulango, Lobi, and Malinké while identifying traps and watch guarding as primary mitigation strategies. Preserving primate habitats is suggested as a key solution to minimize conflicts.
Tchinyo, C., Karim, O., Lydie, K. M., Amara, O., & Inza, K. (2025). LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND DRIVERS OF HUMAN-PRIMATES CONFLICTS AROUND COMOE NATIONAL PARK, NORTHEASTERN COTE D’IVOIRE. The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, (3), 713–726. https://doi.org/10.36899/japs.2025.3.0060
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Large mammal population trends in Comoé National Park (1958–2022): Towards understanding their asymmetric decline and recovery in West Africa’s largest savanna park
Large mammal populations in Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire, exhibit asymmetric decline and recovery patterns over 64 years. While roan antelope, hartebeest, and waterbuck have quasi-recovered to pre-crisis levels since the political turmoil (2002-2011), species like kob, common hippopotamus, and savanna elephant remain at approximately 10% of their 1970s abundance. This asymmetry is attributed to habitat loss—grasslands declined from 15% to 2% between 1979 and 2020—and poaching pressures, which disproportionately affected gregarious species dependent on floodplain grasslands. The study leverages generalized additive models of 25 terrestrial and aerial counts (1958–2022) to identify these trends and their drivers, including human population growth (six-fold increase since 1962), cattle encroachment, and insufficient ranger presence. These findings underscore the challenges of wildlife conservation in West Africa's largest savanna park, emphasizing the need for targeted habitat restoration and anti-poaching measures before potential species reintroduction.
Scholte, P., Pays, O., Chardonnet, B., Ouattara, A., & Tiomoko, D. (2025). Large mammal population trends in Comoé National Park (1958–2022): Towards understanding their asymmetric decline and recovery in West Africa’s largest savanna park. PLOS One, 20(5), e0320455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320455
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Diversity and functional groups of higher mushrooms from the national parks of Taï, Marahoué, Comoe and the Ehotiles Islands (Ivory Coast)
A pioneering study reveals significant mycological diversity and functional variation among higher fungi (macrofungi) across four national parks—Taï, Marahoué, Comoé, and the Ehotilés Islands—in Ivory Coast. The research identified 290 morphospecies, predominantly Basidiomycetes (96.21%), with no mycological resemblance between the areas studied. Symbiotic fungi, particularly ectomycorrhizians, dominate in the Comoé region, while saprotrophic fungi are prevalent elsewhere. Marahoué exhibits the highest functional diversity, followed by Comoé and Taï. The findings highlight the cosmopolitan nature of saprotrophic macrofungi, though some genera or species show restricted distributions. This study underscores the ecological significance of higher fungi in ecosystem monitoring and conservation.
Soro, B., Kone, N. A., Leabo, L. P. L. V., Malan, D. F., Bakayoko, A., Konate, S., & Kone, D. (2025). Diversity and functional groups of higher mushrooms from the national parks of Taï, Marahoué, Comoe and the Ehotiles Islands (Ivory Coast). International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 19(4), 477–1489. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v19i4.14
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Physico-chemical characterization of watercourses in Comoé national Park (North -East Côte d’Ivoire; West Africa)
A study of watercourses in Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, reveals significant spatial and seasonal variations in physico-chemical parameters, with the Comoé River showing higher levels of degradation compared to other rivers. Key indicators such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, ammonium, nitrite, phosphate, COD, and BOD5 frequently exceeded threshold values, suggesting environmental stress. The research employed in situ measurements, field kits, and laboratory analyses over an 11-month period (May 2022–March 2023) at six sampling stations, using statistical tests to assess differences.
Diabate, M., Aboua, B. R. D., Aboua, B. R. D., Kamelan, T. M., Ouattara, A., Gnamien, A. T., Kouamelan, E. P., Cisse, M., & Ekissi, D. (2025). Physico-chemical characterization of watercourses in Comoé national Park (North -East Côte d’Ivoire; West Africa). International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 19(4), 1759–1770. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v19i4.36
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